Inmate's Assault on Stillwater Prison Staff Remains Under Investigation

An altercation at Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater began in the food service area Wednesday, when an inmate approached prison staff members with a complaint, and then allegedly attacked DOC four employees without warning.

The Minnesota Department of Corrections is investigating an altercation at the Stillwater prison on Wednesday that resulted in two workers being hospitalized. The altercation began in the prison’s food service area when an offender approached the staff members with a complaint, according to the Minnesota Department of Corrections. He then attacked four staff members without warning. Additional officers were immediately dispatched to the scene and the offender was taken into custody. A correctional officer and a contract food service employee were sent to the hospital as a result of the incident, both were treated and released.  Two other employees received minor injuries. The DOC did not release additional details about the incident …

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Minnesota has Second Lowest Incarceration Rate in the US; Inmate Jobs Take a Hit

Of the estimated 9,500 inmates in state prisons, 1,604 people are incarcerated at Stillwater Prison and 439 inmates are at the state’s maximum-security facility in Oak Park Heights. In 2012, the average per diem cost of an inmate was $84.59.

Minnesota has the second lowest incarceration rate in the country, according to state correctional officials, and they say that’s because only the most high-risk offenders spend time behind bars. There are roughly 9,500 inmates in state prisons, representatives of the Minnesota Department of Corrections told members of the House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee. Maine has the lowest incarceration rate in the country. Click here to read the full report. Of the estimated 9,500 inmates in state prisons, 1,604 people are incarcerated at Stillwater Prison (as of Jan. 16) and 439 inmates are incarcerated at the state’s maximum- security facility in Oak Park Heights. There was a dramatic spike of incarceration (about 3,000 inmates) …

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Charges: Corrections Employee Groped, Offered Sex Toys and Exposed Himself to Prison Inmate

A Minnesota Department of Corrections employee allegedly sexually assaulted an inmate on three different occasions while they were in the vehicle and in the area of Minnesota Correctional Facility—Stillwater.

A Minnesota Department of Corrections staff member has been charged with sexually assaulting an inmate who was incarcerated at Stillwater Prison. Dean Michael Huhta, 39, of Chisago City, was charged by the Washington County Attorney’s Office this week with one felony count of criminal sexual conduct by a corrections employee. The allegations were brought to light after a 21-year-old man filled out a sexual assault survey upon being booked into prison. The man, who the complaint says was an inmate of the Stillwater Prison in fall of 2011 had served his time and was released from custody. The man was then arrested again in June 2012. Upon re-entry into prison, the criminal complaint states that the inmate was given a sexual assault survey, …

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Natural Gas Leaking at Stillwater Prison

Authorities are investigating a gas leak at the prision in Stillwater

Camera Used to Take 19th Century Stillwater Prison Inmate Mug Shots on Display at Fair

The Washington County Historical Society will have the 19th century camera used to take mug shots of some of Stillwater Prison's most infamous inmates on display during the Washington County Fair.

If you visit the Washington County Historical Society during the Washington County Fair, you’ll be able to see a 19th century camera that once took photos of the most infamous residents of Minnesota. The camera was used by the Minnesota State Prison for mug shots of incoming convicts at the Stillwater Prison. The WCHS exhibit and booth in Building C will be open from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. daily.  Visitors to the fair will be able to browse through local and regional history books, and ask questions to the knowledgeable staff about local and regional history. On Sunday, Aug. 5, the St. Croix Base Ball Club, an award-winning program of the Washington County Historical Society, will take on the Denmark Township Demons of the Denmark Township …

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Minnesota DOC Names New Assistant Commissioner of Corrections

John King, a 30-year veteran of the Department of Corrections (DOC), was named the new Assistant Commissioner of the Facility Services Division.

Commissioner Tom Roy has appointed John King, a 30-year veteran of the Department of Corrections (DOC), as the new Assistant Commissioner of the Facility Services Division. “John is an exceptional leader who has held a variety of jobs with the DOC,” Roy stated in a news release. “He is an excellent mentor with sharp knowledge of corrections. His experience, combined with his amiable personality, make him respected among staff.  He will be a great addition to our team.” King has a vast range of correctional experience at four facilities and the department’s central office. After beginning his career as a correctional officer, King held various accounting and supervisory positions. He served as associate warden of operations and warden at …

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LINK: Parenting from Stillwater Prison

MPR reports about how convicted murderer Leon Perry tries to be a parent to his children from Minnesota Correctional Facility--Stillwater.

A Trip Back in Time: Stillwater Prison in 1885

A look at Stillwater's storied past.

"A Trip Back in Time" is a photo feature showcasing moments of Stillwater's storied past. If you have historic photos and memorabilia you would like to share with Stillwater Patch users, please email Editor Shawn Hogendorf with a photo description and story of the snapshot, if you know it. This photo is of Minnesota State Prison, showing the Warden's House on the left. The photo was taken in 1885, is part of the John Runk files and is courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society.

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UPDATED: Six Indicted 'Native Mob' Members Plead Not Guilty to Federal Charges

All of the inmates in Minnesota prison system were confined to their cells for 25 hours and weren't allowed any outside contact while authorities conducted a major sweep targeting members of a Native American gang on alleged racketeering charges.

All six people arrested in Tuesday’s take-down of "Native Mob" gang members pleaded not guilty to the racketeering and other federal charges filed against them. Aaron James Gilbert, Jr., and Justen Lee Poitra were released on bond pending trial, while Dale Wesley Ballinger, Jr., Cory Gene Oquist, and Dale John Pindegayosh were ordered by the court to remain in custody, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Damien Lee Beaulieu is scheduled for a detention hearing tomorrow in St. Paul. A seventh defendant turned himself in today. Matthew Steven Poitra, a/k/a Chewy, age 21, of Minneapolis, made his initial appearance in federal court today. He has been charged with one count of racketeering and one count of conspiracy to use and carry …

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Former Stillwater Prison Worker Pleads Pleads Guilty to Sexual Relationship with Inmate

Yvonn Noemi Lerro-Miller was sentenced to serve 90 days in the Sentence to Serve program and 10 years of supervised probation after she was found guilty of having an ongoing sexual relationship with an inmate while a prison intern stood guard.

A former certified medical assistant at Stillwater prison pleaded guilty to criminal sex charges for engaging in an ongoing relationship with an inmate. Yvonn Noemi Lerro-Miller, 38, of Osceola, Wis., will serve 90 days in Washington County’s Sentence to Serve program and be on supervised probation for 10 years after pleading guilty to fourth–degree criminal sexual conduct on Jan. 6 in Washington County District Court. Judge Richard Ilkka also ordered Lerro-Miller to register as a predatory offender, take a mental health evaluation and follow the recommendations for treatment. One count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct was dismissed in a plea agreement. Lerro-Miller was charged May 10 in Washington County District Court with two …

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